Sectional picture frame

ABSTRACT

THE PICTURE FRAME COMPRISING THE PRESENT INVENTION IS MADE UP OF A PLURALITY OF IDENTICAL ELEMENTS, EACH OF WHICH INCLUDES AN INTEGRAL PIN AND AN INTERGRAL SOCKET SPACED LATERALLY FROM THE PIN. IN THE ASSEMBLED CONDITION THE PIN OF ONE OF THE ELEMENTS IS RECEIVED IN THE SOCKET OF THE NEXT ADJACENT ELEMENT. A CAP IS SECURED TO EACH PIN TO CAPTURE THE NEXT ADJACENT ELEMENT. THE PICTURE AND/OR THE GLASS COVERING THE PICTURE IS POSITIONED BEHIND A LIP THAT IS INTEGRAL WITH AN EXTENDS INWARDLY FROM EACH ELEMENT. A LOCKING PEG IS DISPOSED IN AN OPENING IN SELECTED ONES OF THE ELEMENT IN ORDER TO BEAR AGAINST THE REAR SURFACE OF THE PICTURE. THE FRAME, COMPRISING THE PRESENT INVENTION, MAY BE SQUARE, RECTANGULAR OR POLYGONAL AND MAY BE OF ANY SIZE SINCE IT IS MADE UP TO DISCRETE ELEMENTS.

March 1973 H. STEINHARDT SECTIONAL PICTURE FRAME 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 26, 1971 March 20, 1973 H STEWHARDT 3,721,030

SECTIONAL PICTURE FRAME Filed Nov. 26, L971 3 Sheets-Sheet r.)

FIG 5 I 26 H66 22 I l FIGS FIG?

March 20, 1973 sTEjNHARDT 3,721,030

SECTIONAL PICTURE FRAME Filed Nov. 26, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent Ofice 3,721,030 SECTIONAL PICTURE FRAME Hartley Steinhardt. 1 Merritt Road, Farmiugdale, N.Y. 11735 Filed Nov. 26, 1971, Ser. No. 202,509 Int. Cl. G09f 1/12 US. Cl. 40-155 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The picture frame comprising the present invention is made up of a plurality of identical elements, each of which includes an integral pin and an integral socket spaced laterally from the pin. In the assembled condition, the pin of one of the elements is received in the socket of the next adjacent element. A cap is secured to each pin to capture the next adjacent element. The picture and/or the glass covering the picture is positioned behind a lip that is integral with and extends inwardly from each element. A locking peg is disposed in an opening in selected ones of the element in order to bear against the rear surface of the picture. The frame, comprising the present invention, may be square, rectangular or polygonal and may be of any size since it is made up of discrete elements.

The aforementioned abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application which, of course, is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates generally to picture frames and, more particularly, to a sectional picture frame comprised of a plurality of identical elements.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART As is well known, picture frames are normally made of four separate sections that are frequently mitered at the joints. In the past, picture frames have been made of wood, metal, plastic or a combination of these materials. Normally, picture frames come in a particular range of conventional sizes and the purchaser is limited to these sizes. Thus, the purchaser must fit the picture to the size of the picture frame or alternatively, must use a mask in front of the picture where a small enough frame or a frame of the desired size cannot be found. It will be evident that the purchaser cannot, using prior art picture frames, tailor both the size and peripheral outline of the frame to fit the picture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides novel, low cost means, for forming a picture frame using a plurality of identical molded plastic elements. Each of the elements include a pin and a laterally spaced socket. In the assembled condition, the pin in one of the elements is positioned within the socket of the next adjacent element and so on until the proper size frame has been completed. A cap is secured to each pin in order to capture the next adjacent element. Because two adjacent elements are adjustably displaceable with respect to each other by virtue of the cap being secured to the pin, corners can be formed with out the use of different or specialized elements. The present invention permits either a square, rectangular or polygonally shaped frame and is provided with decorative means against which the front surface of the picture or the covering glass is positioned. Each of the elements 3,721,030 Patented Mar. 20, 1973 comprising the frame is provided with channel-like holes in which locking pegs are removably positioned in order to bear against and secure the rear surface of the picture.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved, low cost picture frame.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved, low cost picture frame, comprised of a plurality of identical elements.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved, low cost picture frame, comprised of a plurality of plastic molded elements that may be secured to each other in an end-to-end relationship so as to define the periphery of the frame.

A different object of the present invention is to provide means for forming either a square, rectangular or polygonally shaped frame.

A feature of the present invention is that the elements comprising the frame may be packaged in kit form and assembled to any size and/or shape desired without the need for special tools or skills.

An advantage of the present invention is that the identical elements comprising the frame may be molded of different colored plastics and assembled in any desired combination thereof.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will, in part, be pointed out with particularity, and will, in part, become obvious from the following more detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms an integral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the various figures of the drawing, like reference characters designate like parts.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the picture frame comprising the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the picture frame shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional, elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevational view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a typical element comprising the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. '8 is a rear elevational view of the element shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevational view taken along line 99 of FIG. 2 and illustrating a locking peg comprising the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of an alternative shape frame utilizing the basic concept of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating another alternative shape of frame; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative corner arrangement for the frame shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring particularly to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 there is shown one embodiment of the picture frame 20 comprising the present invention. Essentially, the picture frame 20 is comprised of a plurality of identical elements each of which is generally designated by the reference character 22. The elements 22 are connected to each other in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter so as to provide the desired size and shape of the picture frame 20. As shown in FIG. 3 and in FIG. 4, the elements 22 are made of a molded plastic material, each of which includes a pin 24 and a socket 26. A cupshaped cap 28 having an annular lip 28a and a bore 30 therethrough is positioned proximate the upper end of the pin 24 overlaying the socket 26 and is adhesively secured to the pin 24. Thus, the cap 28 captures the socket 26 with respect to the pin 24 but still permits a relative rotation of the pin 24 and the socket 26 so that corners may be formed in any desired manner.

Turning now specifically to FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8, there is shown in detail the element 22 that is used to form the picture frame 20 comprising the present invention. The pin 24 is molded integrally with a first base wall 32 that has a plurality of holes 44 formed therethrough. For ease of manufacture, the pin 24 may be made at least partially hollow. The perimeter 36 of the first base wall 32 is defined by an arc of uniform radius that extends partially therearound and by a cordwise edge 38. A first arcuate side wall 40 is formed with a uniform radius contiguously with the arcuate periphery 36 of the first base wall 32 and extends partially thereabout in a plane parallel to the axis of the pin 24.

The socket 26 is defined by a second base wall 42 having an opening 44 therein that is laterally spaced from and sized to loosely receive the pin 24. The perimeter of the second base wall 42 is defined by an arcuate wall 46 of uniform radius extending partially therearound and a cordwise edge 48. An end wall extends across the second arcuate wall 46 co-planar with the cordwise edge 48 of the second base wall 42. The end wall 50 terminates at the first arcuate wall 40 co-planar with the cordwise edge 38 of the first base wall 32.

As shown for examples in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second base wall 42 is positioned in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane of said first base wall 32 by dimension equal to the thickness of the first base wall 32. Thus, when two adjacent elements 22 are assembled, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first and second base walls 32 and 42 are in substantially the same plane. As shown, for example, in FIG. 5, the second arcuate wall 46 defines a seat for the annular lip 28a of the cap member 28. A decorative member 52 is used to span the two arcuate walls 40 and 46. The inner end 54 of the spanning member 52 provides lip means against which the front surface of the picture P may abut. It should be noted that a pane of glass G may be used in front of the picture, in which case the glass G would abut the overhanging lip 54.

FIGS. 2, 5, 8 and 9 illustrate means for holding the picture on the frame 20. The socket member 26 is formed with a channel defined, in part, by a base wall 56 that is spacedly parallel to the base wall 42 and a side wall 58. The third wall of the channel is defined by a portion of the second arcuate wall 46. Thus, the open end of the channel faces inwardly and is arranged to receive a T- shaped locking peg 60 having a central portion 62 that is received in the channel and a crosswise head portion 64 that is arranged to abut the rear surface of the picture or any support backing therefor. The locking peg may be placed in any one of the elements 22 and preferably a plurality of the locking pegs 60 are used. The holes 34 formed in the first base wall 32 are used as terminal points for a support wire by which means the picture frame 20 may be hung on a wall. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, a reinforcing wire 66 may be strung so as to interconnect one element 22 on each of the four sides of the frame 20. This is particularly advantageous where larger frames are used. Once the picture frame 20 is assembled, adhesive may be applied and allowed to flow through the holes 34 so as to rigidly secure the first and second base walls 32 and 34, respectively.

FIGS. 10, 1 1 and 12 schemttically illustrate alternative, peripheral configurations of the picture frame 20. It will be noted that the picture frame 70 shown in FIG. 10 is an eight-sided polygon whereas the picture frame 72 shown in FIG. 11 is a six-sided polygon. The picture frame 74 shown in FIG. 12 is substantially the same as that shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, except that instead of having square corners with adjacent sides at right angles to each other, the corners shown in FIG. 12 are at a 45 degree angle with each adjacent side. This may be achieved very simply by positioning selective elements 22 as shown in FIG. 12.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that an improved low-cost picture frame has been provided wherein the size and shape may be determined by the number of individual, identical elements used. The elements may be molded of a suitable plastic material in one or more different colors. The elements are assembled end-to-end and are adhesively secured to each other by means of a cap. An integral lip provides a bearing surface for the front plane of the picture while releasable latching pegs that may be readily inserted into the rear of selected ones of the elements provide means for holding the rear surface of the picture. Holes in each of the elements provides means for attaching a support wire or a reinforcing wire when larger frames are used. After assembly, the several elements may be adhesively secured to each other.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the invention presently contemplated. However, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A picture frame comprising:

(a) a plurality of identical elements that, in cooperation with each other, define the perimeter of said frame;

(b) a pin and a socket formed in each said element, said pin and said socket being laterally spaced from each other whereby the pin of one of said elements is received in said socket of said next adjacent element;

(0) cap means for securing one said element to said next adjacent element;

(d) lip means integral with each said element for retaining the front surface of the picture; and

(e) means for retaining the rear surface of the picture.

2. The frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pin fits through said socket, said cap means being rigidly secured to said pin whereby adjacent ones of said elements are initially movable with respect to each other.

3. The frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said element includes a wall section arranged to abut the periphery of the picture.

4. The frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein each said element includes a first base wall with which said pin in integral, the perimeter of said first base wall being defined by an arc of uniform radius extending partially therearound, a cordwise edge and a first arcuate side wall extending partially about the arcuate portion of said first base wall, a second base wall having an opening therethrough for defining said socket means, the perimeter of said second base wall being defined by an arc of uniform radius extending therearound, a cordwise edge and a second arcuate wall extending completely about the arcuate portion of said second base wall, an end wall extending across said second arcuate Wall co-planar with the cordwise edge of said second base wall and terminating at said first arcuate wall co-planar with the cordwise edge of said first base wall.

5. The frame in accordance with claim 4 wherein said second base wall is in a plane parallel to and spaced from the plane of said first base wall by a dimension not less than the thickness of said first base wall whereby said first base wall of two adjacent elements are in the same plane in the assembled condition.

6. The frame in accordance with claim 4 wherein the end of said second arcuate wall opposite said second base wall defines a seat for said cap means.

7. The frame in accordance with claim 4 wherein said second base wall includes a channel formed therein and said retaining means comprises an elongated locking peg having one end thereof positioned Within said channel, the

other end of said locking peg being arranged to bear 10 against the rear surface of the picture Within said frame. 8. The frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein the periphery thereof is rectangular.

9. The frame in accordance with claim 1 wherein the peripheral thereof is polygonal.

References (Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 88,651 4/1869 Marshall 40l52 759,561 5/1904 Sherman 40-152 1,296,544 3/1919 Malkevic 40-155 1,446,900 2/1923 Hintz 40155 ROBERT W. MICHELL, Primary Examiner W. J. CONTRERAS, Assistant Examiner 

